Milano, 30 luglio [1831]
Como 30: Luglio
Mi è stata gradita gradita d’assai la vostra lettera, come anche alla
1802 Io nacqui in i primi i primi elementi della composizione. Nel 1819: mi portai nel collegio di Napoli, e sotto
Ecco tutte le notizie che brama il vostro amico, concernente la mia carriera teatrale.
Intanto gradite i miei abb:ci e fate gradire al nobile v‹ost›ro Cugino i miei rispetti. – La Sig:ra
Il vostro
Bellini
Al Chiarissimo Signore
II Sig:r Dottore Luigi Remondini
Milano
157
19.
Como, 30 July [1831]
Vincenzo Bellini to Luigi Remondini. Letter.
Aut. I-REas, Fondo Turri. One bifolio, four sides plus address and seal in red wax on the verso.
Ed. Walker, pp. 6-8; Neri 2005, pp. 187-188.
Como 30 July
My dear friend
I can't tell you how very pleased I was to receive your letter, as was Sig.ra Giuditta, especially because your welcome news included that of poor Gaetanino's improvement from his treatment with quinine. - We won't write to you for the time being because Giuditta keeps her family abreast of her news, and they can share it with you since you see them every day. - Here is what you requested on behalf of Sig. Conte Ritorni. -
1802 I was born in Catania to Rosario Bellini and will turn 28 years of age this coming November. My grandfather Vincenzo Bellini, who was a student of the great Piccini at the conservatory of Naples, introduced me to the basic elements of composition. In 1819 I too began to attend the [same] school in Naples, where I pursued the study of counterpoint under maestro Giacomo Tritto; after three years he died, upon which I passed into the class of the renowned Zingarelli for my remaining five years there. - During the 1825 Carnival season I composed Adelson e Salvini, a semiserious opera in three acts, for performance in the school's small theatre, where it was entirely sung and played by my fellow students. The success of this opera earned me the King's Prize, an honor consisting of three hundred ducats and the opportunity to write an opera for the Real Teatro di S. Carlo. That opera, Bianca e Fernando, was performed in May 1826 with Lalande, Rubini, and Lablache. In 1827 I left school and moved to Milan, where my next opera, Il pirata, premiered in October of that same year at La Scala with Lalande, Rubini, and Tamburini. In February 1829 I completed La straniera for performance in this same theatre, where it was sung by Lalande, Unger, Reina, and Tamburini. That following May the new theatre of Parma officially opened with the premiere of Zaira, which I composed for Lalande, Cecconi, Trezzini, and Lablache. In March 1830 I wrote the opera I Capuleti e i Montecchi for La Fenice in Venice, where it was performed by Sig.ra Giuditta Grisi, Sig.ra Caradori, and Bonfigli. Finally, in March of this year the Teatro Carcano in Milan produced my sixth opera, La sonnambula, performed by Pasta, Rubini, Mariani, etc.
There you have all the information your friend seeks concerning my theatrical career.
Meanwhile I extend my most cordial regards and ask that you give my respects to your noble cousin. - Sig.ra Giuditta sends her warmest greetings and hopes that you continue to send her good news of Gaetanino.
Your
Bellini
To the Most Distinguished Signore
Sig. Doctor Luigi Remondini
Milan